If God can Love Turkeys, then God can Love You

Do you know that you are unconditionally loved by God? It's hard to believe sometimes, but it's true.



At Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, affectionately known as CYC, we try to teach that. Sometimes, we succeed. When asked about a significant thing they learned at CYC, a few people gave these answers:

"I learned that no matter how much I may stray and may question God he still loves me unconditionally and when I am ready to come back he will have open arms. He is the almighty person who loves me unconditionally."

"That if God can love turkeys....God can love you!!!"

That second is actually a quote from a song we sing, often around the campfire. We would look into a neighbor's eyes and sing out:

If God can love turkeys, then God can love you
For you are a turkey and I am one, too.
So when you're lonely, remember the truth
If God can love turkeys, then God can love you.

It is one of the tools we use to let student know how deeply and dearly God loves them. Think about it. Turkeys are ridiculous creatures. Funny-looking, funny-acting, funny-sounding. But God made them. He made us, too, and he wants us in the worst way. He plain and simply adores us.

At CYC we also talk about Jesus' love in chapel, classes, progams and devotions. But the most effective method is to love unconditionally ourselves. We aim to love students unconditionally, model unconditional love amongst the staff and to encourage the students to love each other unconditionally. Have people loved you unconditionally? Have you known that joy? I hope so, because there is nothing like it.

I wish we were perfect at it at CYC, but we aren't of course. There are tensions at times. There are hurt feelings. There are people who feel forgotten or left out. We keep trying to do better.

Sometimes we do get it right. Here are a few more quotes from people who were there, about what they learned:

"Being able to fit in no matter who you are"

"When you become who you truly are meant to be, your real friends emerge!"

"Being how you were. No faking it. Going in a stranger, coming out with life long friends."


Pray with me that this community keeps growing in God's love and that more know Christ because of it. I pray that you experience God's abiding love.

Blessings on your day and remember God loves you!





For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16











Christian youth Conference at Ocean Park is a two week ecumenical conference for high school students held in August on the beautiful southern coast of Maine. The theme for the 2011 conference is "Face to Face" and will look at restoring relationships between God and individuals, and amongst people. Click here for more information.